Apply or OK?

I’d like to ask, what’s the difference between clicking ‘OK’ and ‘Apply’ when I make changes to the settings of programs?

This question foxes many people. Essentially, the OK and Apply buttons perform a similar function, which is to make changes as per the settings set by a user. The key difference is that when you click the OK button the settings are applied and the window is closed. However, when you click the Apply button the settings are applied and the window remains open.

Let’s take an example to get a better understanding of these buttons. In this tip, we’ll change the wallpaper by accessing the Display Properties dialog box. To learn more about the Display Properties dialog box, read the Redecorating with Personalized Style tip.

In the Background list box, scroll down and select a new wallpaper, as shown below.

Now, you have a choice of clicking OK or Apply. If you click OK, the new wallpaper is applied and the Display Properties dialog box is closed. If you click Apply, the new wallpaper is applied and the Display Properties dialog box is not closed. Therefore, you can make further changes and when you are through, click OK.

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